Quick Facts:
- Topic: How to pick a portable water heater for camping showers.
- Top pick: Joolca HOTTAP V2 Outing kit, a 37,500 BTU tankless heater with a 12V pump.
- Self-contained pick: Joolca HOTTAP Go, with a 3.2 gal tank and built-in pump.
- Fuel: Propane, from 1 lb canisters or a 20 lb tank.
- Power: 12V for pumps, D-cell batteries for ignition.
- Price range: $159.99 to $649, checked November 10, 2026.
- Best for: Truck, Jeep and SUV campers who want a hot shower at camp.
 9 min read
In This Guide
- Why a Portable Water Heater for Camping Changes a Trip
- Portable Water Heater for Camping Picks Compared
- Joolca HOTTAP V2: Best for Creek and Jerrycan Camps
- Joolca HOTTAP Go: Best Self-Contained Shower
- HOTTAP V2 vs. HOTTAP Go
- Budget Picks: Camplux AY132 and Eccotemp L5
- How to Choose a Portable Water Heater for Camping
- Cold Weather, Altitude and Carbon Monoxide
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
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Quick Picks
- Best overall: Joolca HOTTAP V2 Outing kit, for campers who pump from a jerrycan, lake or creek. $519 with a 12V pump and filter, or $399 for the Essentials kit on a pressurized tap, prices checked November 10, 2026. Check price at Joolca.
- Best self-contained: Joolca HOTTAP Go, for campers who want one box with no hoses to plumb. $599, price checked November 10, 2026. Check price at Joolca.
- Best budget: Camplux AY132 or Eccotemp L5, for occasional summer use. See the budget section below.
Why a Portable Water Heater for Camping Changes a Trip
Nobody wants a cold rinse from a jug after a dusty trail day. A portable water heater for camping turns the same jug into a steady hot shower in minutes. For truck and Jeep campers, it pays off on cold mornings and on trips far from a bathhouse. Instead of guessing with water heated on the stove, you get water at the temperature you set.
A portable hot water heater for camping usually burns propane and heats water as it flows, so the shower lasts as long as your water supply. The Joolca HOTTAP V2, for example, rates its burner at 37,500 BTU and claims over 15 hours of run time on a 20 lb tank. In contrast, the HOTTAP Go heats a 3.2 gal tank and keeps the water there until you shower.
We dug deep into the owner forums and long-term owner reviews to find what holds up at camp. Owners praise fast hot water and a shower head switch to save water. On the flip side, they flag wind blowing out the flame and freeze damage on units left full.
How This Guide Ranks Each Heater
I drive a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, so I weigh setup and pack-down as heavily as heat output. This guide ranks the units on water source, setup time, propane use and cold-weather limits. Since we already cover the burner math in how to size a tankless heater, this page focuses on which unit to buy.
For support gear, an extension hose with a 1 lb to 20 lb adapter links the HOTTAP V2 to a bigger tank. Also, a refillable 1 lb propane bottle cuts waste on short trips. Then a 5 gal jerrycan holds the water your pump draws from.
Gear for fuel and water at camp
DozyAnt 4 Feet Propane Adapter Hose 1 lb to 20 lb Converter Replace…
Portable Water Heater for Camping Picks Compared
Each portable water heater for camping below fits one of two groups. First, tankless heaters need pressurized water from a pump or tap. Second, the HOTTAP Go carries its own tank and pump.
| Heater | Heat and flow | Water source | Price checked Nov. 10, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joolca HOTTAP V2 (top pick: Outing kit) | 37,500 BTU, 0.6 to 1.6 gal/min | Tap with the Essentials kit, or the 12V pump in the Outing and Nomad kits from a jerrycan, lake or creek | $399 Essentials, $519 Outing, $649 Nomad |
| Joolca HOTTAP Go | 18,956 BTU/hr, 0.4 to 0.9 gal/min | Built-in 3.2 gal tank and 12V pump | $599 |
| Camplux AY132 | 34,000 BTU/hr, up to 1.32 gal/min | Pressurized water, 3 to 110 PSI; no pump included | $159.99 |
| Eccotemp L5 | 25,000 to 37,500 BTU, 1.5 gal/min | Pressurized water, 20 PSI or more; no pump included | $179 |
Joolca HOTTAP V2: Best for Creek and Jerrycan Camps
The HOTTAP V2 is the most flexible portable propane water heater in this group. Its 37,500 BTU burner heats water on demand at 0.6 to 1.6 gal/min. Because it heats as water flows, a lake or creek gives you hot water until the propane runs out.
Which HOTTAP V2 Kit to Buy
Joolca sells the V2 in three kits. The $399 Essentials kit includes the heater, shower hose, gas hose and feet, but no pump, so it needs a pressurized tap. Next, the $519 Outing kit adds a 12V pump with a weighted two-stage filter. Joolca says the pump self-primes to 5.9 ft and pushes water up to 98 ft. Finally, the $649 Nomad kit adds a sink tub, faucet and stand, and everything packs into the tub. For dish setups beyond Joolca, see our portable camp sink setups.
My pick for most truck campers is the Outing kit, because the pump and filter turn any jerrycan or creek into a hot shower. Owners on the overland forums describe pulling creek water through the filter and showering for as long as they like. One owner reported a full shower with long hair on about 3 gal, thanks to the on/off switch on the shower head.
Get Endless Hot Water at Camp With the HOTTAP V2
37,500 BTU tankless heater for 1 lb canisters or a 20 lb tank. The Outing kit adds a 12V pump and filter, and every kit carries a 2-year warranty and a 30-day trial.
Check Price at JoolcaWhat Owners Flag on the V2
The most common complaint is the flame going out in wind or missing ignition. Owners of the earlier HOTTAP raised the same issue. Several owners say a sheltered spot keeps the flame lit. Plastic fittings and pumps also draw complaints. However, owners praise Joolca support for sending replacement parts quickly, sometimes after the warranty ran out.
Setup takes longer than a self-contained box. One forum owner counts four hose runs and about 10 minutes to set up. Another also flags wet hoses to pack. If you mount the heater on a rack with Joolca’s $95 quick-release bracket, the setup gets shorter.
Joolca HOTTAP Go: Best Self-Contained Shower
As a camping shower water heater, the HOTTAP Go solves the biggest hassle of tankless units: plumbing. Its 3.2 gal tank, 12V pump and burner live in one jerrycan-sized case. First, you fill it, set the temperature and press start. Then the Go recirculates the water until the whole tank reaches your setting, up to 140°F.
Joolca says the Go preheats the tank in about 5 minutes. A 1 lb propane canister heats up to 24 gal of water, which Joolca rates at about 15 showers. In addition, the unit weighs 20.9 lb empty and runs off your vehicle’s 12V socket through a 16.4 ft cable. Also, the hose, shower head and gas hose all stow inside the tank.
The trade-off is volume. Joolca rates the 3.2 gal tank at two showers or one long one, and testers agree. In addition, the price draws comment. The unit costs $599, and Joolca’s Power Bank adds $165 for showers away from the truck. Owner history is still thin because the Go is new, so treat long-term durability as unknown.
For me, the recirculating tank is the standout here, since no cold water gets wasted while the heater warms up. With one or two showers per fill, it suits couples on weekend trips more than a family of four.
HOTTAP V2 vs. HOTTAP Go
Pick the V2 if you camp near water or carry 10 gal or more. In addition, its higher burner output suits cold creek water and longer showers. Instead, pick the Go if you want a hot shower with no pump, no hoses to plumb and one box to pack.
Price lands close. The V2 Outing kit costs $519 with a pump, while the Go costs $599 with its tank and pump built in. Meanwhile, the V2 Nomad at $649 adds a full camp sink, so it fits campers who wash dishes as often as they shower. If one box and no plumbing matter most, the Go earns the extra $80.
Shower Hot From One Box With the HOTTAP Go
Self-contained 3.2 gal tank, pump and burner run off your 12V socket or Joolca's optional Power Bank. It preheats the tank in about 5 minutes and rates about 15 showers per 1 lb canister.
Check Price at JoolcaBudget Picks: Camplux AY132 and Eccotemp L5
Shower at camp only a few times a year? A budget camping water heater covers the basics for about $160 to $180. Both units below hang from a hook, burn propane from a 20 lb tank and light on two D-cell batteries. Neither includes a pump. As a result, the pump and filter in the V2 Outing kit help justify its higher price.
Camplux AY132
The Camplux AY132 delivers up to 1.32 gal/min at 34,000 BTU/hr and lights at water pressure from 3 to 110 PSI. Owners like the low price. On the downside, one forum owner calls the stock 5 ft hoses insanely short. Camplux fits a drain plug, so empty it before a freeze. Still, it makes the better budget pick, since it lights at far lower pressure than the Eccotemp.
Eccotemp L5
The Eccotemp L5 flows 1.5 gal/min and needs at least 20 PSI, per Eccotemp’s product page. Some owners report years of trouble-free use. Even so, others describe flame-outs, early failures and freeze damage. According to the Eccotemp L5 manual, the unit does not work below 32°F and runs best below 2,000 ft.
How to Choose a Portable Water Heater for Camping
Start with your water source, because it decides which heater fits your rig. A tankless camping shower water heater needs pressure. The Camplux AY132 lights from 3 PSI. By comparison, the HOTTAP V2 needs at least 10.2 PSI, while the Eccotemp L5 needs about 20 PSI. A jerrycan alone supplies none of these, so plan on a 12V pump. For water planning, read how much water to carry before you size your tank.
Next, check propane fit. The HOTTAP V2 runs on a 1 lb canister or a 20 lb tank. Also, the HOTTAP Go ships with a hose for 1 lb canisters, and Joolca says a 20 lb tank works with a suitable hose. By contrast, the Camplux and Eccotemp units connect to a 20 lb tank. Our guide to propane bottles vs a bulk tank covers the cost per pound.
Then check 12V power. One owner traced two melted pumps to a long, thin 12V lead. Consequently, run the pump from a properly sized lead or a power station. Finally, plan the shower space itself. A privacy tent, a mat and a hook for the head make up our complete camp shower setup.
Three add-ons round out the shower setup. A 12V diaphragm pump rated 40 PSI or more gives tankless heaters steady pressure. Also, a pop-up privacy tent shields your shower space from wind and onlookers. Finally, a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm adds a backup warning. It never replaces open air around the burner.
Gear to round out your shower setup
Cold Weather, Altitude and Carbon Monoxide
Freeze damage is the most repeated cold-weather warning. Several Eccotemp owners report cracked parts after water froze inside their camping water heater. A Joolca owner warns the heater dies if left full in a freeze. Joolca’s winter guidance says damage starts near 39°F. Then disconnect the hoses, let the water drain and tilt the heater side to side.
Cold inlet water also cuts shower temperature on tankless units. For example, Joolca lists a 63°F rise at 0.66 gal/min but only 36°F at full flow. In practice, turn the flow down on cold mornings. One owner recirculates water back into the jerrycan until it warms. Altitude matters too, and one owner reports weaker heat at high camps. For more on winter camps, see our list of cold-weather camping mistakes.
Safety note: Every heater here burns propane and makes carbon monoxide. Run the burner outdoors with open air around it, never inside a closed shower tent, camper or vehicle. Keep the heater outside the tent and run only the hose and shower head inside.
The CDC counts more than 400 US deaths a year from carbon monoxide poisoning. I run a diesel heater overnight in winter camps, so I treat combustion gear with care. Our propane carbon monoxide safety rules apply to water heaters as well.
Final Thoughts
If you camp near water or carry plenty of it, the HOTTAP V2 Outing kit is the portable water heater for camping to buy first. It pairs strong burner output with a pump and filter, and owners rate Joolca support highly. The trade-offs are setup time and a flame some owners say struggles in wind.
For the simplest hot shower, the HOTTAP Go wins. You fill one box, press start and shower a few minutes later. Its 3.2 gal tank limits you to one or two showers per fill, though. Joolca sells the Power Bank separately for showers away from the truck.
On a tight budget, a Camplux AY132 or Eccotemp L5 covers summer weekends. Each costs under $200 before you add a 12V pump. Whichever portable water heater for camping you buy, drain it before a freeze and run the burner in open air. Then a dusty trail day ends the way it should, with a hot shower at camp.
FAQ
What is the best portable water heater for camping?
For most truck and Jeep campers, the Joolca HOTTAP V2 Outing kit is the best pick. It pairs a 37,500 BTU burner with a 12V pump and filter for jerrycans, lakes and creeks. For a self-contained unit, the HOTTAP Go adds its own 3.2 gal tank.
Do portable hot water heaters work for camp showers?
Yes, a portable hot water heater for camping delivers a real hot shower when it has steady water pressure and propane. Tankless units need a pump or tap, and cold inlet water lowers the final temperature.
How many showers do you get from a 1 lb propane canister?
Joolca rates the HOTTAP Go at about 15 showers per 1 lb canister, since one canister heats up to 24 gal of water. Tankless units burn propane faster at full flow. For burner math, see our sizing guide.
Do you need a water pump with a portable water heater for camping?
Yes, for every tankless unit when you draw from a jerrycan or creek. The HOTTAP V2 needs at least 10.2 PSI, and the Eccotemp L5 needs about 20 PSI. However, the HOTTAP Go has a pump built in.
Is it safe to use a portable propane water heater in a shower tent?
Keep the heater itself outside the tent in open air, and run only the hose and shower head inside. Propane burners make carbon monoxide, and Eccotemp’s manual warns against use in a tent, camper or vehicle.